God With Us

One of a parent’s most awesome responsibilities is the naming of children. What a privilege! A child’s personality, relationships, talents, achievements and more will be bound up with his or her name. In fact, names become a sort of shorthand for all that makes us who we are.
 
Ever wondered about God’s name? The first person in the Bible who ascribes a particular name to the Creator of the universe—not just the generic reference as ‘God’—is a female, Egyptian slave named Hagar. While on the run and in distress, God shows Hagar mercy and provides for her. As a result she sees the God who has seen her. So she names Him: the God who sees. (Isn’t it a marvelous thing when someone sees us… when we are recognized and valued!)
 
Centuries later, another displaced woman is on the move. She is not an exile, but a pilgrim traveling with her husband and unborn child. She too gets to name God. But for her, she is naming God and naming her child.
 
And so it was that an angel helped Joseph and Mary with the name for this child. Drawing from the old words of Isaiah the prophet, the angel said to them, “His name shall be called…”
 
EMMANUEL. GOD WITH US. That is His name and who He is.
 
Jesus has come as God with us in the midst of our pain and sorrow, our joys and tears. In the midst of uncertainty about tomorrow, He is with us.
 
This is a name in which we can take refuge, a strong tower we can run to and be safe. God is not far from us. He is not angry, distant or aloof. God has come to be with you. How do we know? Because this is how He is called. God with us, Emmanuel. So, yes, we adore His name. Let the nations sing it louder!